Fiery? what fiery quality? why, Glo'ster,

I'd speak with the Duke of Cornwall and his wife. Glo. Well, my good Lord, I have inform'd

them so.

Lear. Inform'd them? dost thou understand
Glo. Ay, my good Lord.

[me, man! Lear. The King would speak with Cornwall,

the dear father

[service! Would with his daughter speak; commands her Are they inform'd of this? my breath and blood!Fiery? the fiery Duke? tell the hot Duke, thatNo, but not yet; may be he is not well ; Infirmity doth still neglect all office,

[selves,

Whereto our health is bound; we're not our-
When nature, being oppress'd, commands the
To suffer with the body. I'll forbear; [mind
And am fall'n out with my more headier will,
To take the indispos'd and sickly fit

For the sound man!-Death on my state! but wherefore

Should he sit here? This act persuades me,
That this remotion of the Duke and her

Is practice only. Give me my servant forth;
Go, tell the Duke and's wife I'd speak with them:
Now, presently,-bid them come forth; and hear
Or at their chamber-door I'll beat the drum, [me,
Till it cry, Sleep to death.

Glo. I would have all well betwixt you. [Exit.

Lear. Oh me, my heart! my rising heart! but down.

Fool. Cry to it, nuncle, as the cockney did to the eels, when she put them i' th' pastry alive; she rapp'd 'em o' th' coxcombs with a stick, and cry'd, Down, wantons, down: 'twas her brother, that in pure kindness to his horse butter'd his hay.

SCENE XI.

Enter CORNWALL, REGAN, GLO'STER, and Servants.

Lear. Good morrow to you both.

Corn. Hail to your Grace!

[Kent is set at liberty.

Reg. I am glad to see your Highness.

Lear. Regan, I think you are; I know what

reason

I have to think so; if thou wert not glad,
I would divorce me from thy mother's tomb,
Sepulchring an adult'ress. O, are you free?
[To Kent.
Some other time for that. Beloved Regan,
Thy sister's naught: oh Regan, she hath tied
Sharp-tooth'd unkindness like a vulture here;"
[Points to his heart.

I can scarce speak to thee; thou❜lt not believe With how deprav'd a quality-oh Regan!

Reg. I pray you, Sir, take patience; I have You less know how to value her desert,

Than she to scant her duty.

Lear. Say, how is that?——

[hope,

Reg. I cannot think my sister in the least
Would fail her obligation. If, perchance,
She have restrain'd the riots of your followers,
'Tis on such ground, and to such wholesome end,
As clears her from all blame.

Lear. My curses on her!
Reg. O, sir, you are old,

Nature in you stands on the very verge

Of her confine: you should be rul'd and led
By some discretion, that discerns your state
Better than you yourself: therefore, I pray you,
That to our sister you do make return;
Say, you have wrong'd her, Sir.

Lear. Ask her forgiveness!

Do you but mark how this becomes the house? Dear daughter, I do confess that I am old;

[Kneeling. Age is unnecessary: on my knees I beg,

That you'll vouchsafe me raiment, bed, and food. Reg. Good Sir, no more; these are unsightly [tricks;

Return you to my sister.

Lear. Never, Regan.

She hath abated me of half my train; [tongue, Look'd black upon me; struck me with her

Most serpent-like, upon

the very

heart.

All the stor❜d vengeances of Heaven fall

On her ungrateful top! strike her young bones, You taking airs, with lameness!

Corn. Fie, Sir! fie!

[fames

Lear. You nimble lightnings, dart your blinding Into her scornful eyes! Infect her beauty, You fen-suck'd fogs, drawn by the powerful sun To fall and blast her pride.

Reg. O the bless'd gods!

So will you wish on me, when the rash mood is on.
Lear. No, Regan, thou shalt never have my
Thy tender-hefted nature shall not give [curse:
Thee o'er to harshness; her eyes are fierce, but
Do comfort and not burn. "Tis not in thee [thine
To grudge my pleasures, to cut off my train,
To bandy hasty words, to scant my sizes,
And, in conclusion, to oppose the bolt
Against my coming in. Thou better know'st
The offices of nature, bond of childhood,
Effects of courtesy, and dues of gratitude:
Thy half o' th' kingdom thou hast not forgot,
Wherein, I thee endow'd.

Reg. Good Sir, to th' purpose. [Trumpet within.
Lear. Who put my man i' th' stocks?

Enter STEWARD.

Corn. What trumpet's that?

Reg. I know't

my

sister's: this approves hier

letter.

That she should be here. Is your Lady come?

Lear. This is a slave, whose easy-borrow'd pride Dwells in the fickle grace of her he follows. Out, varlet, from my sight.

Corn. What means your Grace?

SCENE XII.

Enter GONERIL.

Lear. Who stock'd my servant? Regan, I've

good hope

Thou didst not know on't.-Who comes here?
O heav'ns!

If you do love old men, if your sweet sway
Hallow obedience, if yourselves are old,
Make it your cause; send down, and take my part.
Art not asham'd to look upon this beard?

O Regan, will you take her by the hand?

Gon. Why not by the hand, Sir? how have I ofAll's not offence that indiscretion finds, [fended? And dotage terms so.

Lear. O sides, you are too tough!

Will you yet hold?

stocks?

How came my man i' th'

Corn. I set him there, Sir: but his own disorders

Deserv'd much less advancement.

Lear. You? did you?